How To Minimize Mobile Internet Data [6 Methods]

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Mobile Internet Data plans are not cheap. And they are also limited, Irrespective of the volume of data you purchase. With the new era of smartphones and the internet, mobile internet data usage cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, the question is, how do you reduce mobile internet data usage and as a result reduce your bills while still getting the best value from your smartphone and the internet?

The answer is to be smart with your smartphone.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce mobile internet data usage on your smartphone. As a result, you get to save some money too.

Table of Contents

Restrict Background Data Usage

With Android 7.0 and Up, this can easily be done by using the Data saver mode. However, for a more thorough restriction (and for Android 7.0 and down), you can restrict the background data for individual apps. This method can affect the performance of the app. For example, you may not get messages from the app until you manually open the app.

To restrict background data by app:

Go to your device’s setting
Tap Data usage
Tap Cellular data usage
To find the apps, scroll down
Tap on each app to see more details about it

Reduce Mobile internet data — List of apps using Internet Data

To restrict background data usage for each app, turn of the Background Data option

Do the same for each of the app you wish to restrict its background data use

Turn off Auto Synchronization

When Automatic synchronization is turned on Google apps and other apps associated with accounts on the phone refresh at time intervals. As a result, your device gets notifications about updates and others. Turning off auto-sync helps you reduce mobile internet data usage.

To turn off Auto-sync

First, open the settings on your device
Tap on accounts

On the more : options tab, turn off Auto-sync data. This is a total restriction on automatic synchronization.

To be selective, You can tap on each listed accounts to select which app you want to disable auto-sync data.

You can manually Sync your account later whenever you want

Open the settings on your device
Tap on accounts
choose the account you want
Tap more : sync now

Manage Your Internet Browsing with Data Saving Apps

Many Mobile internet browser comes with data saving Technology. Hence, these browsers compress web pages while you surf the internet and help reduce mobile internet data usage. First on the list is Google Chrome. It usually comes pre-installed on android devices.

On the Google Chrome browser, go to settings > data saver. Switch it on if not already.

Another good browser is Operamini which is built around low data usage. Data saving is enabled by default.

Use Alternative Apps with Less Data Usage

Social Media and Messaging apps require a higher rate of internet data. Gladly, these social media are making a lite version of their conventional apps. Consequently, these alternative lite versions help reduce mobile internet data usage as they require little internet data, while still giving the same functionality as the conventional. Why not take advantage of these alternatives to reduce your mobile internet data use? For example,

Facebook lite
Messenger lite
Twitter lite

Use Wi-fi for Auto Update

Choose the “Update over wi-fi only” option in your play store. Use the same option for your cloud storage applications as well. E.g Google Drive

Switch off Your Data to reduce mobile internet data usage

When there is no need for internet usage, you can save more by simply putting the mobile data off

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